Automatic air-cylinder fump oiler



Feb. 5 11924.

A. KIRCHHOFER AUTOMATIC AIR CYLINDER PUMP OILER 2 Shea'tshet 1 Filed Dec. 17 19 21 ATTORNEY Feb. 5, 1924. nmw n A.HRCHHOFER- AUTOMATIC AIR CYLINDER PUMP OILER Filed Dec. 17. 1921 2 SheetMheet 2 I A Kirchhufer" INVENTOR WITNESSES I Patented Feb. 5, 1924.

AUGUST KIRGHHQFER, F NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE.

AUTOMATIC AIR-CYLINDER PUMP QILER.

Application filed December 17, 1921. Serial Ho. 523,144.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that AUGUs'r Kincrii-iornn, a citizen oi? the United States, residing at Nashville, in the county of Davidson and State of Tennessee, have invented new and useful Automatic Air-Cylinder Pump Qiler, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to lubricators, and is more particularly directed to an automatic device for lubricating the cylinders and pistons comprising the compressors of an air brake system.

An object of the invention is to provide a new and improved device which is automatically operated by the pressure in the air brake system of a locomotive when the brake is applied, for lubricating parts of the locomotive when running where it is extremely dangerous for the engineer to mannally lubricate or where the parts are quite inaccessible, such as the cylinders and pistons of the compressors of the air brake system.

The invention further contemplates the provision of a new and improved device that will feed a regulated supply of oil in proper quantities to the cylinders of an air compressor so that the ports of the cylinder will not be clogged by an excess of oil but t 1c cylinders will be properly lubricated wher by a larger output of compressed air will be the result.

The invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification, with the understanding, however, that the invention is not confined to any strict conformity with the showing in the drawing, but may be changed and modified so long as such changes and modifications mark no material departure from the salient features of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

In the drawing Fig. 1 is a plan view or": my improved lubricator.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 discloses, diagrammatically. an elevation of the compressor cylinders of the well known \Vestinghouse air brake system with my improved lubricating device applied to the-same for lubricating the cylinders and istons of the compressors.

trally of the plug Fig. 4 is a view in perspective of the piston and its stem which is operable in the lubricator.

Referring to the drawing, 1 and 2 represent diagrammatically, the respective low and high compression cylinders of an air brake system arranged in parallel and in tandem for supplying air to the system. These cylinders are provided with pistons (not shown) which are reciprocable within the cylinders. The brake cylinder pipe 3 has a T-joint l provided with a choke nipple 5 connected to a conduit 6 which is likewise connected by a nipple 7 formed upon the lower end of the body member 8 of the lubricai'or. The body member 8 may be connected by an independent pipe line to the locomotive, which line ma be controlled by the engineer.

Referring to 1, the body member 8 of the lubricator is provided with a bracket 9 having a perforation it) by which the auto-- matic lubricator is secured to a flanged portion of the steam cylinder of the pump. lvlounted upon the top or the body 8 is a cylindrical oil receptacle 11 in the top of which is for led a threaded opening providing means for filling the chamber 12 of the oil receptacle. A plug 13 is adapted to be screwed into the threaded opening at the top of the chamber 12 to close the same. An air vent it formed con- 13 relieves pressure withthe chamber 12.

The body member 8 is provided with three chambers 15, 25, 31 of varying diameters longitudinally disposed in the body member and in alinement with each other. .xin open ended chamber 15, in which is adapted to reciprocate a piston 16, has the greatest diameter and is provided with a screw-threaded plug or closure 17 adapted to be screwed into the end of the chamber. The plug has a hexagonal part 18 adapted to be engaged by a. suitable tool for turning the plug 17 for tightening or loosening the same. The piston 16 is provided with grooves in which are seated the usual split compression rings 19. The rings in the groove just described may be dispensed with and the cylindrical chamber and the piston'16 may be ground so that the piston will neatly fit the cylinder. The piston 16 is provided with a centrally disposed bore through which is adapted to be inserted a reduced and. screw-threaded ICC with a passage 22 is adapted end 21 of a stem 22. A conical boss 23 which is adapted to function as a valve is formed on the inner face of the piston and adapted to neatly fit within a conical seat or countersunk portion 24 formed by grinding away a portion of one end of a measuring cham ber 25. The conical boss when seated within the countersunk portion 2 provides a ground joint between the chambers and the measuring chamber 25, and is adapted to prevent fluid from passing between these tWo chambers The stem 22 is of the same diameter as the outwardly-projecting end of the boss 23. A.- nut 26 is screwed upon the threaded portion 21 of the stem 22 and firmly holds the piston 1-6 securely against a shoulder 27 formed by outer end of the stem 2 The plug 17 is cut away at 28 to receive the nut 26, when the piston 16 is located at its extreme right hand travel.

The stem 22 is of cylindrical shape and intermediate its ends is provided with an annular groove 29 which is adapted .to aline 30 in the body 8.. said pas communication between the chamber 12 and the measuring chamber when the piston 16 is at the end of its extreme right hand travel.

The other end of the provided with a chamber 31. which is of slightly larger diameter than the measuring chamber25 but smaller in diameter than the chamber 15. A reduced end of the stem to slide within the chamber 31 and is surrounded by a. coil s 'ing seated within the chamber 31, and bearing at one end against one end of the stem he inner end of the chamber 31 is provided with a countersunk portion 34 forming a seat for a conical flanged member 35 integral with the stem 22. The member 35 and the seat 34 form a ground joint between the chambers 25 and 31 to prevent air from the air compression cylinder 1 from enterin the Incas uring chamber. A pipe 36 is connected at one end to a nipple 37 integral. with the lower portion of the body 8 and h'aving .a port 38 providing communication between the hollow nipple 37 and the chamber 31. The other end of pipe 36 is connected with one of the air compressor cylinders sage forming a body member is The outer end of the chamber 31 is closed by a screw=threaded plug 39 having a proecting part 10 which is of such a shape that it may be gripped a suitable tool for turning the plug 39 for loosening or fastening' the same in place. The plug 39 has an inwardly-projecting cylindrical stem 41 which is adapted to be embraced by the coil spring 33, which is in abutting relation with the lug 39.

T e nipple '7 is provided with a passage 42 having a port 43 affording communication between said passage and the outer endof the reduction of the the chamber 15, so that air coming from the brake cylinder pipe 3 and passing through the pipe 6, which is connected to the nipple 7. will be admitted through the port 43 to the chamber 15 between the plug 17 and the outer end of the piston 16.

The operation of my device is as follows The chamber 12 of the oil reservoir is filled at the terminal station where the engine is standing. The oil reservoir may be located within the engine cab so that it will not be necessary for the engineer to climb out of the cab and over the running board to fill the same.

The oil. feeds by gravity through the pas sage to the annular groove 29 located in the stem 22. Since the stem 22 fits neatly within the measuring chamber 25, oil will not leak from the groove 29, when the parts are in the position as shown in Fig. 2, and the air brake is in released position.

When the air brake is applied, air will be admitted to the brake cylinder pipe 3 and through the pipe 6, to the passage 42 and through the port 43 to the outer end of the cylindrical chamber 15 between the plug 17 and the piston 16. The piston is then forced towards the left, carrying the stem 22 likewise in thesame direction, until the groove 29 reaches the port 38 located in the chamber 31 against the tension of the spring 33. When the port 29 is alined with the port 38, the conical boss or valve 23 will be seated within the countersunk portion 24 of the measuring chamber 25 so that no air will be allowed to escape from the chamber 15 to the measuring chamber 25. The pressure of the air against the piston 16 will aid in firmly seating the boss 23 in the countersunk portion 24. The lubricant in the groove 29 fed by gravity through the port 38 to the pipe 36. i

It must be remembered that whenever the air brake is applied, the pistons in the compression cylinder will be on stroke anc therefore create a suction within the pipe 36 and draw in the oil from the annular groove to the compression cylinders.

When the air brake is released, pres sure will be relieved upon the outer end of the piston and the will act against the rear end of thesteni 22 and forcethe stein towards the right, thereby alining the annular groove 29 with the passage 30 so that oil from the chamber 12 may be again fed by gravity to said groove. The conical member 35, which functions as a valve, will be seated in the countersunk portion 3 1 in the chamber 31 and thereby prevent air which may have escaped past the check valve 44- into the pipe 36 from entering the measuring chamwill rapidly be compression spring 3.3-

their down lubricant for maintaining them in working condition.

While I have described the device for lubricating the compression cylinders of the air brake system, it may readily be seen that the lubricator may be automatically operated when the brake is applied for lubricating any parts on the locomotive that may be inaccessible to the engineer or that may be disadvantageously placed whereby it would be dangerous for him to manually lubricate the same.

WVhat is claimed is 1. In a device for lubricating the compression cylinders of an air brake system of a locomotive, an oil reservoir, a measuring chamber in communication with the reservoir, means in the chamber for measur ing apredetermined quantity of oil fed by gravity from the reservoir, means adapted to be operated when the air brake is applied to cause the measuring means to deliver a measured quantity of oil to the compression cylinders upon the suction stroke of the pistons in the compression cylinders, and means for connecting the lastmentioned means with the air brake cylinder pipe of the system.

2. In a device for lubricating the compression cylinders of an air brake system of a locomotive, an oil reservoir, a measuring chamber located below and in com-, munication with the reservoir, means in the chamber for measuring a predetermined quantity of 'oil fed by gravity from the reservoir, means adapted to be operated when the air brake is applied to cause the measuring means to deliver a measured quantity of oil to the compression cylinders upon the suction stroke of the pistons in the compression cylinders, means for connecting the lastnnentioned means with the air brake cylinder pipe of the system, and

y a resilient means for returning the measuring means to receive another charge of oil from the reservoir when the air brake is released.

3. In a device for lubricating the compression cylinders of an air brake system of a locomotive, an oil reservoir, a measuring chamber located below and in communication with the reservoir, means in the chamber for measuring a predetermined quantity of oil fed by gravity from the reservoir, means adapted to be operated when the air brake is applied to cause the measuring of oil to the compression cylinders upon the suction stroke of the pistons 1n the compression cylinders. means for connecting the last-mentioned means with the air brake cylinder pipe of the system, the compression cylinders during the suction stroke being in communication with the measuring means a resilient means for returning the measuring means to receive another charge of oil from the reservoir when the air brake is released, and means for closing communication between the measuring chamber and the compression cylinders.

a. In a device for lubricating the compression cylinders of an air brake system of a locomotive, an oil reservoir, a'measuring chamber in communication with the reservoir, a piston reciprocable in a cylinder and provided with means for measuring a predetermined quantity of oil from the reservoir, a pipe connecting the cylinder with the air brake system for conducting air under pressure to said cylinder when the air brake is applied for operating the piston to cause the measuring means to deliver the oil to the compression cylinders upon the suction stroke of the piston of said cylinders, said measuring means being in communication with the compression cylinders during the suction stroke, means for returning the piston when the air brake is released, and means in the measur ing chamber and cooperating with the piston to prevent air from the system from entering the measuring chamber.

In a device for lubricating the compression cylinders of an air brake system of a locomotive, an oil reservoir, a cylinder beneath the reservoir, a piston adapted to be reciprocated in said cylinder and provided with a stem, a groove on the stem adapted to aline with a port connected with the oil reservoir to cause a predetermined quantity of oil to be fed by gravity from the reservoir to the groove when the air brake has been released, said piston being operable by the air in the air brake system upon the application of the air brake to deliver said lubricant in the groove to the air compressors, and means connecting the cylinder with the air brake cylinder pipe of the system.

6. In a lubricating device connected with the air brake system of a locomotive, a body member provided with a plurality of alined chambers, an oil reservoir in com munication with one of the chambers, a reciprocable means within the said chamber and provided with a groove adapted to receive oil from the reservoir, a piston in another chamber for operating the reciprocable means, a pipe connecting the lastnientioned chamber with the air brake cylinder pipe of the system for conducting air under pressure to said chamber when the air brake is app-lied, and means for returning the measuring means in communicative position with the oil reservoir when the air brake is released.

7. In a device for lubricating the compression cylinders of an air brake system of a locomotive, a body member provided with alined cylindrical chambers of difl'erent diameters, an oil receptacle mounted on the body and having a passage communicating with .one of the chambers forming a measuring chamber to which oil is fed by gravity, a stem slidably mounted in sand chamber and providedwith a groove normally in communication with the passage between the measuring chamber and the oil reservoir for receiving a predetermined quantity of oil from the reservoir, a piston detaohably connected to one end of the stem and operable in one of the chambers having a greater diameter than the measuring chamber, a pipe connecting said chamber with the air brake cylinder pipe of the system for conducting air under pressure to said chamber when the air brake is applied, another chamher having a port providing a communication between said chamber and the compressicn cylinders of the system, said groove 7 in the stem adapted to be placed in communication with the port in the last-men.- tioned chamber when the brake is applied, and a spring in said la-stmentioned chamber nasaem adapted to return the piston and stem when the air brake is released.

8. In a device for lubricating the compression cylinders of an air brake system of a locomotive, an oil reservoir, a cylinder beneaththe reservoir and forming a measuring chamber, a stem reciprocable in the cylinder and provided with means for measuring a predetermined quantity of oil from the reservoir, said measuring means being normally in communication with said reservoir whereby oil is fed by gravity to the measuring means, a second cylinder in alinement with the first-mentioned cylinder, a piston in said second cylinder and connected with the stem, a pipe connecting the second cylinder with the air brake system for conducting air under pressure to said cylinder when the air brake is applied for operating the piston to cause the measuring means to deliver the oil to the compression cylinders upon the suction stroke of the pistons of said cylinders, said measuring means beingin communication with the compression cylinders during the suction stroke, means for returning the piston when the air brake is released, and means in the measuring chamber and cooperating with the piston to prevent air from the piston from entering the measuring chamber.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I "have hereto a-fii-xed mysignature.

AUGUST KIBOHHOFER. 

